Chapter 3699: Spiritual Power Storm
A spiritual power storm erupted from within the Space Divine Temple, plunging the entire vast territory of the Heavenly Court, spanning billions of miles, into darkness and gloom.
Day turned to night.
Within the black clouds, spiritual power soul mist wove through, shimmering with colorful radiance.
High in the nine heavens, the Heavenly River, stretching one hundred and eight thousand miles wide, seemed to boil over, bubbling up with basin-sized bubbles.
Every cultivator within the Qicheng Heaven Domain felt a piercing pain in their souls. Those who collapsed and could not rise were everywhere.
…
Time Divine Temple.
"What is happening? How could there be such a powerful spiritual power fluctuation?"
Even Murong Huan, Yu Dongxuan, and other veteran experts who had weathered many storms, were now trembling with fear.
Such a powerful, destructive spiritual power fluctuation erupting from within the Heavenly Court was an unimaginable disaster.
Murong Huan's expression was grave. "It's Yan Wuque's aura."
"Is Yan Wuque's spiritual power this strong? Impossible. This spiritual power cannot belong to anyone below the level of 'Heaven Round No Defect'." Xun Yangzi's inner turmoil was hard to calm. He had just calculated that, with his own cultivation, if he were struck by this spiritual power surge, he would be severely injured.
His divine soul might even be torn apart.
Yu Dongxuan said, "What if it's a self-detonation of the divine heart?"
Everyone present held their breath.
If a being with an eighty-ninth level of spiritual power self-detonated their divine heart, could any living thing survive in the Qicheng Heaven Domain?
Would the surrounding heavenly domains of Qicheng Heaven Domain also be swept away by death?
"Shua! Shua!"
They transformed into streaks of divine light, crossing the void, and rushed towards the Qicheng Heaven Domain.
Moments later, the four powerful figures appeared at the periphery of the heavenly domain.
The situation was not as dire as they had imagined.
The entire Qicheng Heaven Domain was shrouded in crimson clouds. Within the clouds floated an antique pavilion, surrounded by four red divine trees.
The crimson light, like layers of gauze, cascaded down to the ground, protecting the sacred cities within the heavenly domain.
The leader of the Immortal-Worshipping Cult showed a look of disappointment. "What a pity. The Valley Master arrived! Otherwise, with today's calamity, even Zhang Ruochen's death would not be enough to atone for it."
Murong Huan said, "Does this also mean that the Valley Master has been watching the Space Divine Temple all along? Earlier, you suggested arranging an Infinite Realm being to assassinate the Great Gods of the Space Divine Temple. If evidence falls into the Valley Master's hands, we will all be implicated."
The Immortal-Worshipping Cult leader smiled bitterly.
"Wait. Let's wait for specific news first. Since Yan Wuque has self-detonated his divine source, Zhang Ruochen may not still be alive." Yu Dongxuan said.
At that moment, Yu Dongxuan spotted the figure of Jie Tian.
He saw Jie Tian standing in another part of the sky opposite the Valley Master of the Crimson Cloud Flying Immortal Valley, treading on a nine-colored divine sea, with layers of heavenly realms above his head, seemingly also guarding the Qicheng Heaven Domain. But there were clear traces of blood at the corners of his mouth, and his aura was very unstable.
This spiritual power storm, which had shaken the entire universe, had lasted for three days without subsiding.
The Heavenly Court, Kunlun Realm, Paradise Realm, Ancient Civilization Star Domains, Hell Realm… all were thrown into a huge uproar, and rumors spread everywhere.
Some claimed that Yan Wuque had perished together with Zhang Ruochen and Zhao Gongming.
Another message said that over a hundred True Gods imprisoned inside the Space Divine Temple had all fallen in the self-detonation of their divine hearts. This was a great calamity for the Heavenly Court.
Factions from all sides were discussing it endlessly.
Yet, Jie Tian and the Valley Master of the Crimson Cloud Flying Immortal Valley were desperately trying to seal off the news, concealing the heavenly secrets, and forbidding all cultivators from entering the Qicheng Heaven Domain, as if they were hiding something. This undoubtedly deepened the suspicions of the various factions.
…
Destiny Temple.
Blood Butcher led Xiao Hei into the Death God Palace.
Feng Tian had recently returned from the Ancient Desolate Ruins City. She sat on the divine throne at the top of the palace. Behind her, the Blood Leaf Parasol Tree took root in the void, supporting a vast starry sky.
She wore a crimson long dress and a veil, possessing a breathtakingly beautiful face and figure, yet she exuded a chilling, sinister aura, as if she had gathered all the deathly evil energy of the world into herself.
Even the usually bold Xiao Hei felt uneasy in his heart, respectfully bowing: "Paying respects to Feng Tian!"
"The Sundial is indeed a supreme time treasure. Your cultivation has improved so much!" Feng Tian's voice was pleasant but cold.
Blood Butcher's eyes were red with jealousy. Because he had to play the good cop/bad cop game with Zhang Ruochen, he had not been able to go to the White Clothes Valley to cultivate before, causing his current cultivation to lag far behind Xiao Hei's.
Xiao Hei asked softly, "May I ask why Feng Tian has summoned this god?"
"It's time for you to return to the Heavenly Court." Feng Tian said.
Xiao Hei's face changed, and he immediately shook his head. "This god is the son of the Ice Emperor, swearing to serve the Hell Realm. In death, I will be a heroic spirit of the Hell Realm! The Heavenly Court, I do not miss it."
Blood Butcher sneered incessantly. "Master is sending you back to the Heavenly Court, naturally for an important purpose."
Xiao Hei always felt that Feng Tian was testing him, and said righteously: "Please find someone else, Feng Tian! To be honest, this god has a deep enmity with the Paradise Realm Faction. Once I return to the Heavenly Court, I fear I will die without a burial place."
Feng Tian stood up, her tall figure fully revealed, her gaze fixed on Xiao Hei.
Xiao Hei dared not meet her eyes, immediately lowering his head. "Please, Feng Tian, withdraw your order."
Feng Tian said, "News has arrived. The Palace Master of the Array Destruction Palace has self-detonated his divine source, perishing together with Zhang Ruochen! I am sending you back to the Heavenly Court to investigate the exact details. You are the grand-disciple of Old Man Huaying, and you have Ji Wang as your backer. No one in the Heavenly Court will dare to touch you."
"What? Zhang Ruochen is dead?" Xiao Hei exclaimed in shock.
Blood Butcher observed Feng Tian's expression, his eyes blazing with fury. "If my senior brother is dead, the Array Destruction Palace has no reason to exist!"
Feng Tian appeared very calm. "If he is not dead, you will deliver a message for me. The positions of the Past God Palace, Future God Palace, Truth God Palace, and Fortune God Palace are his to choose from. Selling his life for Hao Tian is not as good as coming to assist me."
Xiao Hei was genuinely worried about Zhang Ruochen's safety. He no longer refused and immediately left the Destiny Temple.
…
Half a month had passed since the spiritual power storm erupted from the Space Divine Temple.
Inside the temple.
"Bang!"
Zhang Ruochen struck the body of the Earth Cauldron with his palm. From within the cauldron flew out spiritual power divine pills, dazzling and brilliant, like rounds of divine suns.
The spiritual power fluctuations released by the pills were powerful. Even Dai Xue and Quan Zhongsheng, who had not reached the Infinite Realm, had their divine souls affected.
Such divine pills were not something ordinary deities could swallow.
"In just half a month, an existence with an eighty-ninth level of spiritual power has been completely refined and killed. The Nine Cauldrons are truly the number one divine artifact in the world." Xuanyuan Lian sighed.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Brother Lian wouldn't be coveting my Earth Cauldron, would he?"
Xuanyuan Lian snorted, feeling that Zhang Ruochen underestimated him.
Guangmu War God said, "With Lord Ruochen's current cultivation and background, he absolutely has the strength to guard one cauldron."
Receiving recognition from a Heavenly Court War God showed Zhang Ruochen's current high status and formidable strength.
The Valley Master of the Crimson Cloud Flying Immortal Valley had concealed the heavenly secrets of the Qicheng Heaven Domain, so the outside world did not know that Yan Wuque had only been completely refined and killed today.
Zhang Ruochen moved his finger, and two of the divine pills flew towards Xuanyuan Lian and Guangmu War God. "I, Zhang Ruochen, never hog everything. Since the plan was made by everyone, these pills naturally have a share for all."
"No need!"
Guangmu War God was extremely proud.
Zhang Ruochen did not insist and gave both spiritual power divine pills to Xuanyuan Lian. "Half a month has passed. Has Brother Lian made a decision?"
Xuanyuan Lian put away the divine pills. "I only have one question! Do you have the intention to pressure the Xuanyuan Clan and help the Divine Ancestor Lord unify the Imperial Way Great World?"
"The unification of the Imperial Way Great World is the will of the Heavenly Venerable." Zhang Ruochen said.
"Good! I will take the corpse of Xuanyuan Yincheng and go to the Wanxu Realm."
Xuanyuan Lian, with his heroic and upright figure, walked out of the Space Divine Temple.
"Zhang Ruochen, can you really suppress Buzhou Mountain?" Guangmu War God asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "With Jie Tian guarding Buzhou Mountain, there will be no mishap. Besides, the Heavenly Court is full of experts. Even if a Quantity Venerable comes, let alone a Heavenly Venerable-level existence, they will end up dead and their Dao extinguished."
"Alright, the Space Divine Temple is yours."
Guangmu War God walked out of the temple, chasing after Xuanyuan Lian to return to the Wanxu Realm with her.
"Xuanyuan Yincheng is dead. The Divine Prison cannot be left unguarded. Elder Quan, you will temporarily guard it for a while. In a few days, someone will come to replace you. Take a spiritual power divine pill and go." Zhang Ruochen said.
"Thank you, Great Elder, for your guidance."
Quan Zhongsheng took a divine pill and withdrew.
Only Zhang Ruochen and Dai Xue Queen remained in the hall.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fixed on her. "Have you met A Fuya?"
Dai Xue Queen's expression changed slightly, and she immediately knelt on one knee. "I have! I met her half a month ago. But please rest assured, Great Elder. Since Dai Xue has joined the Sword Realm, she will never return to the Elf Clan. If I have any intention of betrayal, may my divine form be annihilated..."
"Why are you so afraid? I was just asking."
Zhang Ruochen walked over and helped her up. "If I didn't trust you, how could I have let you be exposed to so many secrets? What was her purpose in seeking you out?"
Dai Xue Queen gradually calmed down. "She told me that she did not possess Mela, but rather their divine souls merged. She is both A Fuya and Queen Mela."
Zhang Ruochen frowned. "She is explaining herself to you, trying to gain your forgiveness. This doesn't seem like the style of the Elf Clan's First Queen."
"So, this god believes that A Fuya and Queen Mela may indeed have undergone a divine soul fusion." Dai Xue Queen said.
Zhang Ruochen was noncommittal. "What else did she say?"
"She wants to see you! She said you should be interested in the secrets of the ancient powerhouses and the secrets of the Immortals, and she knows some of them." Dai Xue Queen hesitated for a moment, then added, "She said she met you a thousand eons ago."
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. "Why haven't you told me this before?"
Dai Xue Queen said, "I was worried she had ulterior motives, that she was using me to harm the Great Elder. After all, how could the First Queen, who once dominated the universe undefeated, come to seek an audience so humbly? This is not the style of an Ancestor-level powerhouse!"
Zhang Ruochen looked outside the hall and smiled. "Half a month has passed. The wind should have blown to every corner of the universe. Go and invite her. Tell her... this Elder has long admired the First Queen's beauty, and wishes to drink alone with her for a night, to discuss both serious matters and romance. No need to hide it. Let the outside world know."
"Ah, A Fuya. I wonder what the gods of Paradise Realm will feel when they learn of this private meeting?"